It was sealed and marked _Private_ in plain letters.
Wondering what the note could contain, Dave opened and read it.

His face changed color and he gave a little gasp.
"Excuse me, I'll have to--to leave you for a little while," he stammered to the others.
"What's the matter ?" asked Roger.
"I--I can't tell you just now." Dave turned to his uncle.

"Where will you get dinner, Uncle Dunston ?" "At the International." "All right--I'll be there before long," answered Dave, and sprang to the ground.
"But what's up ?" cried Phil.

He could see that his chum was much disturbed.
"I--I can't tell you, Phil.

But I'll be back before you finish your dinner." "Don't you want some one along ?" asked Laura, who did not like to see her brother depart in the company of such a looking stranger as Tom Shocker.
"No, Laura.